be commensurate with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be commensurate with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is proportional or equivalent in measure, value, or significance to something else. Example: "The salary offered should be commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The first is effectiveness: the scale of the response must be commensurate with the challenge.

The Guardian - Opinion

For many, this broke a fundamental rule of capitalism – that reward should be commensurate with risk.

The Guardian - Opinion

So the government determined that payments ought to be commensurate with the amount of work involved.

The New Yorker

For developing countries, commitments should be commensurate with each nation's stage of economic development.

The Guardian - Opinion

She said the federal fees should generally be "commensurate with fees" charged by state-run exchanges.

The New York Times - Health

Only if this truth were at stake could meaning be commensurate with the toll of deaths at Gettysburg.

The New York Times

Prominent among them is the doctrine of proportionality: that the response to aggression should be commensurate with the act.

The Guardian - Opinion

Soon enough, he suggested, "the payroll will be commensurate with anything we've ever done, because we can do it".

The New York Times

He also said that "the payroll will be commensurate with anything we've ever done, because we can do it".

The New York Times - Sports

What his research has taught him is that any new approach should be "commensurate with the new geography of the problem".

The Guardian

Inner-directed people experience not shame but guilt, or the fear that one's behavior won't be commensurate with the imago within.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be commensurate with", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, state explicitly what should be proportional to what.

Common error

While "be commensurate with" is grammatically correct, it's best suited for formal writing. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler alternatives like "match" or "fit" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be commensurate with" functions as a relational phrase, linking two elements to indicate that one should be in proportion or agreement with the other. Ludwig examples show this phrase being used to relate effort and reward, risk and return, and contribution and compensation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be commensurate with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that indicates proportionality or equivalence between two elements. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, it serves to emphasize fairness and appropriateness. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in the comparison being made and be mindful of its formal tone, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be proportional to

Emphasizes a direct relationship in scale or degree.

be equivalent to

Highlights equal value or measure.

be in line with

Suggests alignment or agreement in amount or intensity.

be consistent with

Indicates a harmonious or logical relationship.

be appropriate for

Focuses on suitability and relevance.

correspond to

Implies a matching or analogous connection.

be reflective of

Highlights that something mirrors or represents something else.

be in proportion to

Stresses the relative size or degree.

align with

Focuses on a relationship of proper arrangement or position.

measure up to

Indicates that something reaches a certain standard or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "be commensurate with" in a sentence?

Use "be commensurate with" to show that something is in proportion or corresponds appropriately to something else. For example, "The reward should "be commensurate with" the effort invested."

What are some alternatives to "be commensurate with"?

You can use alternatives such as "be proportional to", "be equivalent to", or "be in line with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "is commensurate to" instead of "be commensurate with"?

No, the correct usage is "be commensurate with". The phrase requires the verb "be" to properly link the subject with the adjective "commensurate" and the preposition "with" to connect it to the object of comparison.

What's the difference between "be commensurate with" and "be proportional to"?

While both phrases suggest a relationship of proportion, "be commensurate with" often implies a more formal and considered judgment of appropriateness or equivalence, whereas "be proportional to" simply indicates a direct relationship in scale or degree.